NEWS OF THE DAY

Globe, Volume I, Issue 56, 4 August 1874, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY

Designs for Footbridges to Victoria BRIDGE.—On the recommendation of the works committee the Council last night accepted the design of Mr Walkden, city surveyor, for the footbridges to Victoria bridge. Mr Walkden in his design proposes alterations which will give, the bridge the appearance of an original structure, at a cost of £4OO. The committee further recommended that the work should be constructed of iron.

Oxvord Railway.—ln the General Assembly Mr J. E. Brown asked why the works on the Oxford and Rangiora railway were suspended. The Resident Minister, the Hon E. Richardson, replied that the contractor for the line was also contractor for the White Cliffs railway, and as it was nearly time the latter line was completed he had taken the men from the Oxford line to finish it, but it was expected that he would still be able to finish the Oxford line within the time allowed by the contract.

Rolleston Malvern Railway. —ln reply to the following question put by a member :—" To what distance from Rolleston the rails have been laid on the Rolleston and Malvern railway ; to what station any traffic will shortly be open, particularising distance and probable date ; whether the information in the Hon. Minister's statement, that the plate-laying will be completed by December next, applies to the White Cliffs branch only ; and if so, when it may be expected that that last portion will be open for traffic." Mr Richardson replied that the whole of the works would be completed in September next, and the line opened for traffic in December next.

Smith's Combination Troupe.—During the entertainment last night an accident took place, that though fortunately unattended by any disastrous results, was sufficiently alarming to those who witnessed it. During M. Airec's performance on the swinging trapeze, he in some manner slipped, and immediately fell heavily into the stalls below. The audience were of course alarmed, but were relieved to see M. Airec immediately rise unhurt, and proceed with the remainder of his performance. We believe that M. Airec suffered some slight abrasions, but no hurt of any serious consequence. He was warmly applauded on his resuming his feats on the trapeze. TIMARU-TEMUKA RAILWAY.—A locomotive engine ran for the first time in Timaru (says the "Herald") on Friday, and attracted considerable attention. Steam was got up by about two o'clock, and shortly afterwards the locomotive with one first and second class carriage attached, filled with passengers, started along the line northwards through the cutting. At Whales Creek a halt'was made, as the bridge over the uext creek was under repair, and the train then returned to the starting point. The party then proceeded to the Royal Hotel, and a case of champagne having been broached, the toasts of the railway, Messrs Allan and Stumbles (the contractors), the Mayor of Timaru, Mr Mainwariug (the engineer), and the Press, were drunk and duly responded to. The train made several other trips during the afternoon, taking passengers each time. Although the distance was very short, a speed of eighteen or nineteen miles was attained, with scarcely the slightest oscillation. East Malvern Library.—A meeting of the East Malvern library committee was held at Willis' Hotel, on Tuesday, the 28th. Present—Messrs McMillan, McKie, Warner, Barr, and Taylor (chairman ) The minutes of the orevions meeting were read and confirmed,' Tenders for the library buildings were opened, and were declined as excessive. It was decided to call for fresh tenders on amended plans and specifications. The chairman was directed to apply to the Government for the sum of £IOO for the building, and £SO for books, also to purchase a small collection immediately. The conveyance of the site of the library to the Superintendent, was laid before the committee, also accounts for advertising for tenders. Sundry subscriptions were paid in, and the committee adjourned.; Railway to Westland.—At a meeting of the railway committee, held at Hokitika the other day, a long discussion took place on the subject of railway communication with the East Coast, but no decision was arrived at. Mr Tabart strongly urged the construction of a line down the Coast via Martin's Bay, which he said would cost very little move than the one proposed via Browning's Pass, which the Government had, he said, practically abandoned on account of the cost. He urged that the line via Martin's Bay would open up the resources of the district, and create a demand in Otago for every product of the West Coast. Immigrants to Timaru.—The " Herald " remarks—" The fears which were at first entertained when the immigrants by the Peeress arrived, that they would not soon find emplovment here at this season of the year, and that distress, or at least embarrassment, would supervene, have happily proved entirely groundless. Although only a week has elapsed since this large number of miscellaneous strangers lauded here, so considerable a proportion of them have already been absorbed into the regular strata of society, as to leave no doubt that the capabilities of this locality for the application of unskilled labor, to say nothing of real tradesmen, exceed the most sanguine expectations." Presentation.—The " Daily News " of a recent date, says :—" A large number of commercial travellers met at the Imperial Hotel for the purpose of presenting Mr James Goldsmith with a substantial token of their esteem prior to his leaving for Europe. Mr Austin was appointed chairman, and after a few preliminary remarks he presented a handsome gold chronometer watch to the guest of the evening, which contained the following inscription :—" Presented to James Goldsmith, Esq., Commodore |of the Laying Squadron, by the commercial travellers of Dunedin, on his retiring from the road, as a mark of their esteem." The chairman trusted the gift would be vegarded more in the light of a token of love rather than for its intrinsic value, and said the recipient had ably and creditably maintained the dignity of a true commercial traveller. As Mr Goldsmith was about moving to a new sphere in commercial life, those present trusted that he would occasionally see reflected on the dial of the gift the features of some old friends, who would cherish the remembrance of his friendship. The chairman concluded with wishing the recipient health and prosperity, and a happy and safe voyage home. Sundry bottles of champagne were produced, and Mr Goldsmith's health was drunk with musical honors, the company heartily joining in the chorus of " He's a jolly good fellow." Mr Goldsmith brielly responded, and after thanking the donors for their testimonial, said he had been in the province for thirteen years, and was about to proceed home on his own account, trusting he would be as successful as he had been iu conducting the business of his • mployers in Dunedin. After wishing them all prosperity, he trusted Ihey would be permitted to meet again at some future time. The speeches were much applauded, and songs and recitations afterwards assisted to render the evening most enjoyable.

St John's Entertainment.—The usual weekly parochial entertainment in continuation of the series will be given this evening in St John's schoolroom. Opening of the West Oxford School. The efforts as well as the patience of the West Oxford district school committee have at last been crowned with success ; the schoolroom so much wanted, and so long talked about, has at last been finished, as well as the master's house.. Both buildings are pleasantly situated, and very nicely finished. Such an event as the opening of the new schoolroom could not be allowed to pass by without some sort of a demonstration —and this demonstration took place on Monday last, in the form of a tea meeting, followed by an entertainment. The provision made for the creature comforts of the guests was abundant, even to profusion, and of a variety to satisfy the most fastidious. Although the weather was anything but promising, and the roads were in a state of liquid mild that seemed almost impassable for pedestrians, it was surprising to see the number attracted by the tea meeting or to celebrate the event. The tables were splendidly provided, and presided over by Mesdames Crallens, Luger, and Skilton, and the Misses M. and J. McCaudlish, H. and L. Marsh, Griffiths, and Crallens. After grace had been said by the Rev F. T. Opie the onslaught commenced. At soon as the tea was over, the room was cleared and preparations made for the entertainment. The schoolroom was crowded to excess When all the arrangements were complete, Mr McCandlish, the chairman of the local school committee, said that he was very glad that so many had favored the committee with'their presence, and that he begged to thank them in the name of the committee, and also to propose that the Rev F. T. Opie do take the chair. Tn taking the chair Mr Opie thanked the committee for the honor they had conferred upon him on such an important occasion, and congratulated them upon the nice school and master's house now completed. They were not only of the greatest importance to the district as buildings ; they were also ornaments. He hoped that education would not be undervalued, that the parents would send their children regularly, and that they would help their newly appointed master, Mr Havre, by every means in their power, that the school now opened might in every way be a success. He would not detain them longer, as a long and varied programme had to be gone through. After the programme Mr McCandlish gave to the audience a statement of the school's affairs, and moved a vote of thanks to the ladies and the chairman, which was seconded by Mr Sharplin, who availed himself of the opportunity of attacking the last'song, because he imagined it reflected on Good Templarism. He began to say that he was a Good Templar, and that such a song was likely to do harm. Whereupon he was called to' the question by the chairman, but persisting in his statements, was pulled up smartly, and sat down amid remarks from the audience that were rather pointed. The chairman thanked those present for their kindness, and stated the great pleasure that it gave him to enjoy such a pleasant evening. The National Anthem then terminated the proceedings.